Shield attachment for binoculars



June 1931. c. H. DU FFY SHIELD ATTACHMENT FOR BINOCULARS Filed March 2, 192a Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES CHARLES HUGH DUFFY, OF MIAMT, FLORIDA SHIELD ATTACHMENT FOR. IBINOGULABS Application filed March 2, 1928 Serial No.258,61 8. I

This invention relates to a shield attachment for the eye-pieces of binoculars.

It has been found in attempting to make binocular observations from aircraft, that the high relative wind causes tears to accumulate in the eyes of the observer which dim the vision. An eye shield therefore becomes almost a necessity in observations of this character.

In many types of commercial binoculars, the lateral distance between the lenses of the eye-pieces may be adjusted to suit the spacing of the eyes of different persons, and the eye pieces may also beindependently focused. An 15 object of this invention is to apply an eyeshield to binoculars of this type, of such construction as to permit the independent focusing and lateral adjustment above mentioned without disturbing the eye-shield.

According to my invention the attachment is so constructed and arranged that it may be readily attached to or detached from the eye-pieces of the binoculars. It comprises a pair of substantially semi-circular frame 25 members made so as to conform to the contour of the eye-pieces of the binoculars, each semi-circular member having a projecting hook-shaped lug adapted to engage the annular flange of the eye-pieces of the binoculars in such manner as to permit the rotation of the said eye-pieces within and in relation to said frame members. The eye-shields proper, attached to the semi-circular frame members are composed of suitable flexible material, such as rubber, leather or the like.

The two semi-circular frame members aretype of binoculars having my invention ap plied thereto,

Figure 2 is an end View of the eye-piece end of the binoculars with the attachment in operative position; and

Figure 3 is an end View "of the shield attachment showing the cylindrical element in longitudinal section.

The numeral 10 designates binoculars of a commercial type, laterally adjustable about a central shaft 11 to vary thezdistance between the eye-pieces. For adjusting the focus of the eye-piece lenses the eye-pieces 12, having outwardly flared flanges 13, may be rotated in order to produce'longitudinal'inward or outward movements thereof, in accordance'with common practice.

According to my invention substantially semi-circular frame'members 14, 15 are provided with arcuate recesses 16 adapted to engage the cylindrical shell of the eye-pieces 12 at the base of the outwardly flared flanges 13. l The inner face 17 'of each framemember is inclined outwardly l at approximately the sameangle as the corresponding flange 13. A hook-shaped lug 18 projecting from each frame member at the outer diameter of its face 17 is adapted to engage over the outer rim of the flanges 13 so as to move the frame members laterally with the eye-pieces and permit independent rotation of said eyepieces. At the outer diameter of the inelined face 17 each frame member is provided with outwardly bent spaced flanges 19 and 20. V The former is of continuous arcuate shape while the latter includes a number of spaced, apertured bosses 21. The eye shield proper 22 composed of suitable flexible material, such as rubber has one edge thereof inserted between the spaced flanges 19, and is secured thereto by rivets 23 which pass through flange 19, the shield 22 and bosses 21.

The frame member 15 has a rod 24, and the frame member 14 has a rod extending tangentially therefrom in such directions that the rods 24 and 25 extend toward each other. The rod 24 terminates in a hollow cylindrical element 26, one end of which, is adapted to be partially closed by an apertured, detachable cap 27. On the other hand, the rod 25 terminates in a piston head 28 which is slidably mounted in the cylinder 26, the rod 25 passing through the aperture in end cap 27.. A coil spring 28 embracing the piston rod 25 and compressed between the piston head 28 and end cap .27 allows lateral adjustment of the frame members and tends to hold the shields 22 firmly against the face of the observer so as to 'pro-' tect the eyes from air currents, SWlfilYtI'ELlVBl-r ing dust and the like.

In operation, the attachment is placed in position by engaging'the hook-shaped lugs 18 over the rims of the eye-piece flanges 13. The spring 28 yields to permitthis operation as Well as the lateral vadjustment-of the eyepieces to suit theeyes of the observer. The

spring being under compression acts in conunction with arcuate recesses l6and lugs 18 to hold the attachment firmly in position with relation to the eye-pieces. The latter, however, may be rotated for focusing, as the hook-shaped lugs do not engage the flanges 13 With sufiicient tightness to interfere with this movement. I

I claim:

A readily detachable eye-shield attachment for binoculars, including a pair of arcuate frame members shaped to directly engage the rotatable eye-pieces of binoculars,

eyeshields mounted on said frame members, each of said arcuate frame members includingan outwardly inclined portion-and alug, between which outwardly inclined portion and :lug a rotatable eyepiece of the binocu- V lars is received, means for connectingthe arcuate frame members together, said means including an extensible and contractable mechanism for resiliently drawing the frame members into operative engagement with the rotatable eye-pieces of the binoculars. a

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature.

CHARLES -HUGH DUFFY. 

